Janet Stiglich

60 years old, Retired Lead Nurse

What made you want to run for office?

“When I did my job as lead nurse, one of my roles/goals was to ensure the academic success of all students. I really do feel that, over time, I really made a difference with all kids. When I retired, I really found that I missed that interconnection with the kids, I really missed that making a difference piece. So, I took the first year off, and after doing some serious soul searching about where I want to go and what I want to do, out of the clear blue I thought, ‘Hm, I wonder if I can run for school board?’ I waffled back and forth for a long time. I just wanted to make sure that this was something that I wanted to commit to, and then I decided yes, this is what I want to do. I want to make a difference in the lives of kids.”

Describe what makes you a qualified candidate.

“I’m friendly. I know the district. I’ve lived in the district for 25 years. I have two students that have graduated from the district, so I know what is important to a parent. I’m a great listener, I’m flexible and I love to get out in the community.”

What ideas do you have that you think would improve the district?

“I don’t know that I have enough knowledge about all that is going on to say about what needs to be improved in the district. I think with all things, there is always room for improvement. But, I also think we are at a great place right now. I think the main thing we really have to do as a district is to insure that we are working on this tax levy [Prop Learn] so that we can get the students the things that they need.”

Chad Lange

42 years old, Energy Conservation Specialist, Incumbent

What made you want to run for office?

“A desire to give back to the community and the district that my own four children attend. I got involved early with all my kids, schools, PTO, scouts through school, feeder team sports through school. And then I worked up and got on committees. I was on the Facilities Committee for a couple years. So then I decided to run for the board in 2014 and I lost. I ran again in 2015 and I was successful.”

Describe what makes you a qualified candidate.

“Being active and involved. You want somebody who wants to do it, is determined to do it and goes above and beyond what is required. In my three years on my board, I’ve never missed a board meeting. I also went above and beyond the state requirements for certifications, so right now I am the only advanced certified board member on the board and I am getting ready to advance again. I’ve also attended 10 surrounding school districts’ board meeting just to see how they do things and bring stuff back.”

What ideas do you have that you think would improve the district?

“We have implemented a lot of stuff in the three years that I’ve been on the board. We now have more work sessions where we all can throw out ideas, there is a lot more of brainstorming together. I have a ton of ideas but there isn’t much that one person can do. With a seven-person board, you have no power as one person so you have to get everyone on board. It’s good to have a team that works together, everyone has their own ideas and their own opinions, but it’s good that we can work together for the common good. It’s very beneficial for the students and the district and the employees.”

Sandra Ferguson

64 years old, Homemaker, Incumbent

What made you want to run for office?

“I’ve been on the Francis Howell board before. I was first elected in 1995 and served until 2001. And then I got off of the board because I had to take care of my parents. And then it was 20 years to the exact date that I was re-elected from when I was first elected. A group of people just came up to me, asking if I could run, because I had knowledge in finances, and we were having some financial things. They knew I knew how to balance a budget and all that, so I thought ‘OK,’ and I threw my name in the hat.”

Describe what makes you a qualified candidate.

“I’ve always worked with kids. I’ve always worked in school districts. We moved from California to here and I was always involved in PTOs and parent committees and the Boy Scouts of America. I’ve run camps, I’ve put programs together, so I’ve always been around kids and working with kids to help them do their best.”

What ideas do you have that you think would improve the district?

“Working on the technology. With the tight budget and the constraints that we have had, we haven’t put money into technology. That’s not to say ‘Throw money into technology and let them buy everything.’ You have to do the infrastructures and you want to make sure that there is training and that teachers have bought into the program and that it is all educational. There is a lot of research that goes on with that. I think that’s one of the biggest things right now because we had to put it off for so long and eventually it’s going to catch up to us.”

Brian Higginbotham

42 years old, President of US Operations for Fighting For Autism

What made you want to run for office?

“I want to make a real, significant and lasting impact on our district for the betterment of our students, families and educators. In my line of work, we provide a lot of advocacy, programs and initiatives that support the autism community. We work with families, school districts, first responders, publicly facing companies and the general public in support of our mission to provide services that enhance the quality of life for children and families living with autism. I feel that I can be a strong voice for our students and parents, and can be the fighter the district needs to seek out and address inefficiencies so the district can continue to improve educational services in an efficient and effective way.”

Describe what makes you a qualified candidate.

“Passion. I’m a parent first and I want nothing more than the absolute best educational experience for our students. It’s imperative that our students and parents have a voice and someone to fight for them. I have no baggage going into this and owe it to our students to fight hard, everyday, so they can reach their fullest potential. Nobody will fight like I will for our students.”

What ideas do you have that you think would improve the district?

“I have a large list of ideas that I intend on addressing that will impact the future of our district. The majority of these ideas include creating a solid and functional platform for idea sharing from students and parents, and improving their participation in decision making processes. I feel very strongly that investing into technology is critical. I think there also needs to be a focus I would like to see the implementation of diversity training programs and classes, that focus on diversity acceptance and anti-bullying. be addressed appropriately and to the fullest attention of our district. Our students are worth every second of time it will take to focus on these initiatives.”